10/20/2024 - 10/26/2024

Climate in the News:

Some much-needed rainfall is on its way to the Southern Region next week! High probabilities for rainfall start Wednesday morning in Oklahoma. The Halloween forecast looks wet for much of Southeast Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Central Tennessee. For the most up to date forecast information please visit https://www.weather.gov/. NOAAs Weather Prediction Center has 7-day precipitation totals reaching as much as four inches in Oklahoma. Many areas throughout the Region though will see at least an inch. 

Weather Synopsis:

Much of this rain will be driven by thunderstorm development along and ahead of a cold front which is forecasted to sweep into Oklahoma and Arkansas from Wednesday into Thursday. This cold front will also bring cooler temperatures to the northern portions of the Region.

Temperature: 

Generally, fall days in October are comfortable across most of the Region. Although, weekly cold fronts are quite common, bringing with them colder air masses from the North.

The Southern Region experienced some summer-like temperatures last week as temperatures across the Region were above normal. Temperatures were particularly warm in Southern Oklahoma where weekly average temperatures were as much as 12 degrees above normal! Overall, weekly average temperatures were highest along the Texas-Mexico border, around 80 degrees, and coolest in the Smokey Mountains of eastern Tennessee at 55 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Precipitation:

The climate for the majority of the Region is humid and subtropical, with rainfall common at any point of the year. Frequently, during the fall months, cold fronts bring showers and thunderstorms. The boundary between the cold and warm air masses serves as a trigger mechanism for storms.

Another week of dry conditions occurred across the Southern Region last week. Fortunately, though, areas in Northern Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee received small amounts of rainfall from a half to a tenth of an inch. These rainfall totals will not be enough to significantly improve drought conditions in the areas though.